And This Is How Bulgarians Scare Evil Spirits Away

February 12, 2013

Photos by Deyan Georgiev

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Kukeri is a traditional Bulgarian ritual that takes place sometime between the New Year and Lent. Grown men dress up in furry costumes and go dancing around villages, in an attempt to scare away evil spirits and bring good harvest and health to the community for the year.

They do this by imitating various physical acts—like sex and giving birth—and by wearing massive wooden dicks around their waists.